In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , hostDr. Valrie Grant sits down with Ron Chapple, VP of Global Strategic Solutions at NV5, to explore the evolving world of digital twins, geospatial intelligence, and visual storytelling. Ron brings a rare blend of Emmy-winning visual storytellingand cutting-edge geospatial innovation. From capturing breathtaking aerial cinematography for National Geographic and the BBC to pioneering remote sensing innovations for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, ...
Jun 18, 2025•36 min
In this eye-opening episode of Mapping the Conversations,host Dr. Valrie Grant sits down with Kevin Pomfret, a leading voice in geospatial law, policy, and ethics. Kevin, a partner at Williams Mullen and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, shares his fascinating journey from satellite imagery analyst to legal expert in the rapidly evolving geospatial field. Together, they explore the intersection of law, technology, and policy in an era where data is abundant and boundaries are consta...
Jun 04, 2025•31 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , hostDr. Valrie Grant welcomes Christy Monaco, Chief Operating Officer of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). With over 30 years of experience spanning the U.S. intelligence and geospatial community, Christy shares her journey from federal service to leading global geospatial standards for interoperability. Together, they explore how open geospatial standards arehelping to tackle global challenges—from climate resilience to disaster response—and wh...
May 21, 2025•35 min
In this special crossover edition , host Dr. Valrie Grant steps into the guest seat as she's interviewed by her colleagues from DBA Chronicles . Fresh off her successful dissertation defense, Dr. Grant unpacks her research: "Factors Influencing National Geospatial Information Management Adoption in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)". This insightful conversation explores how leadership,national innovation systems, and external pressures influence NGIM adoption—and why these dynamics are crit...
May 07, 2025•28 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Dr. Valrie Grant sits down with Dr. Greg Scott, Executive Director of the SDG Data Alliance, for a powerful conversation on thetransformative role of geospatial intelligence in sustainable development — especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). From his early days in aerial photography to shaping global geospatial policy at the UN, Dr. Scott brings decades of experience to the table. Now, through the SDG Data Alliance, he’s working ...
Apr 23, 2025•38 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host ValrieGrant sits down with Aaron Addison, Executive Director of the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC), for a deep dive into the future of the geospatial workforce and the evolving needs of our rapidly growing industry. Aaron shares insights from his rich career journey—fromfield surveyor to academic, to his current role helping to shape global geospatial collaboration. Together, Valrie and Aaron explore critical topics like bridging the ...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min
Join host Valrie Grant for a powerful conversation with AmyCoughenour Betancourt, the CEO of Cadasta, an organization at the forefront of using geospatial technology to advance land and resource rights for marginalized communities worldwide. In this special episode for Podcasthon, we highlight the transformative power of mapping in securing land tenure rights and socioeconomic security for over 7 million people across 7,000 communities. Amy shares Cadasta’s 10-yearjourney, their impact, and the ...
Feb 19, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with John Kedar, a globally recognized geospatial strategy advisor and director of John Peter Geospatial Initiatives Limited. With an impressive career spanning the British Army, Ordnance Survey, and advisory roles for governments and international organizations, John has played a pivotal role in shaping national geospatialstrategies across the world. Together, Valrie and John explore the factors influencing National Geos...
Feb 12, 2025•51 min
In this insightful episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with Álvaro Monett, Regional Advisor on Geospatial Information Management at UN-ECLAC. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of geospatial information management in Latin America and the Caribbean and its profound impact on regional development. Álvaro shares his fascinating journey into geospatial sciences, from his childhood fascination with maps to his role at UN-ECLAC, where he plays a key role in st...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant speaks with Maria Timbawala, President of the Jamaica YouthMappers Chapter and a 2024 YouthMappers Leadership Fellow. Maria shares her journey into the geospatial world, starting with her involvement in campus mapping projects and evolving into her leadership role. From tackling misconceptions about geospatial science to spearheading impactful mapping initiatives like trail mapping in Holywell and contributing to global SDG goals, ...
Dec 18, 2024•30 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant welcomes Amanda Iglesias, Software Product Manager for Mobile Mapping Systems at Leica Geosystems. With nearly a decade of experience, Amanda shares her journey into the geospatial field, her role at Leica, and the exciting innovations shaping the industry. They discuss the talent challenges in the geospatial sector, strategies to attract and retain young professionals, and the transformative role of technologies like mobile mappin...
Dec 04, 2024•22 min
In celebration of GIS Day, this episode of Mapping the Conversations takes a deep dive into the everyday uses of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Our Host Valrie Grant introduces the episode where she uses Google Notebook LM tool, to craft a special feature exploring how GIS impacts our daily lives—whether it’s mapping disaster response, improving urban planning, tracking climate change, or optimizing logistics. Discover the practical magic of GIS and why it’s an essential tool for understa...
Nov 18, 2024•25 min
In this insightful episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with Boris Skopljak, Vice President of the Geospatial Sector at Trimble, to explore the rapidly evolving world of geospatial technology. With over two decades of experience in surveying and geoinformatics, Boris shares his journey from land surveying in Croatia to his leadership role at Trimble, where he now drives innovation across Trimble's geospatial solutions. Together, Valrie and Boris delve into some of t...
Nov 13, 2024•45 min
Welcome to a special episode of Mapping the Conversations ! As we approach the one-year anniversary of the podcast, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the progress made in the geospatial community over the past year. This episode features an audio montage from some of our guests who have been active in the UN-GGIM mechanism. They share their insights on: The maturity of the geospatial community over the past year What they’re most proud of and areas they feel still need improvement Why the upco...
Oct 02, 2024•30 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant speaks with Dr. Stuart Minchin, Director-General of the Pacific Community (SPC), about the impact of geospatial technologies in the Pacific. The discussion spotlights the Digital Earth Pacific initiative, exploring how it harnesses satellite data and technological tools to address pressing issues such as climate change, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development in the Pacific Island nations. Dr. Minchin reflects on his car...
Sep 18, 2024•41 min
In this insightful episode, host Valrie Grant sat down with Dr. Pooja Mahapatra, a geospatial expert who brings her passion for addressing global challenges through technology to the forefront. Dr. Mahapatra currently serves as the Principal Advisor for Climate & Nature at Fugro, where she focuses on climate resilience and biodiversity applications. Dr. Mahapatra shares her inspiring journey from growing up in India with dreams of becoming an astronaut to discovering her passion for geospati...
Sep 05, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , Valrie Grant is joined by Rolando Ocampo, the Chief of the Statistics Division at UN ECLAC, for a deep dive into the intersection of statistics and geospatial intelligence. Rolando shares his journey and extensive experience, including his work at Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), to his leadership roles in the geospatial community, including his time as President of UN-GGIM Americas. His journey offers a unique perspe...
Aug 21, 2024•33 min
In this engaging episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with David Henderson, the Chief Geospatial Officer at Ordnance Survey (OS), for an illuminating discussion on the transformative power of geospatial technologies. Henderson shares his extensive experience, insights, and visionary perspectives on how these technologies are reshaping industries and driving innovation. Henderson shares his journey into the geospatial industry, his strategic leadership at Ordnance Su...
Aug 07, 2024•47 min
In this captivating episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with Dr. Dawn Wright, the Chief Scientist at Esri. Journey through the depths of the ocean and the heights of scientific achievement as Dr. Wright shares her fascinating career and groundbreaking contributions to oceanography and geospatial science. From her early beginnings as an island girl to becoming the first Black person to visit Challenger Deep, Dr. Wright's story is one of inspiration, innovation, and ...
Jul 24, 2024•51 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations , host Valrie Grant sits down with Marc Prioleau , Executive Director of Overture Maps Foundation. Dive into the world of open map data, learn about the groundbreaking collaboration between industry giants like AWS, Meta, Microsoft, and TomTom, and discover how Overture Maps is transforming the geospatial landscape with innovative technologies. Marc Prioleau shares the vision and mission behind the foundation and the importance of open map data. He pr...
Jul 10, 2024•45 min
In this riveting episode of "Mapping the Conversations," host Valrie Grant sits down with Dr. Didacus Jules, the Director General of the OECS Commission, for an in-depth discussion that spans personal history, technological innovation, and regional transformation. Dr. Jules, whose life and career have been profoundly shaped by his active participation in the Grenada revolution, brings a unique perspective to the table. The conversation looks at the transformative power of geospatial data and art...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
In this episode of Mapping the Conversations, Valrie Grant sits down with Simone Michelle Lloyd, a key figure in the geospatial world in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Simone shares her inspiring journey, talks about GIS in the Caribbean, the challenges, the opportunities, and her vision for the future of geospatial in the region. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in geospatial sciences, leadership, and regional development. Simone M. Lloyd is a certified geospatial professional, p...
Jun 12, 2024•47 min
Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the evolving world of hydrospatial data with Denis Hains, a leading figure in the field of hydrography and ocean mapping. Denis Hains, founder and CEO of H2i, has dedicated his career to advancing hydrographic sciences. Denis is also an active contributor to the International Hydrographic Organization and other associations. He is a Hydrospatial Influencer. This episode explores the significance of hydrospatial data, its impact on the blue econ...
May 28, 2024•40 min
In this special tribute episode of Mapping the Conversations, we honour the life and legacy of Jacqueline daCosta, a pioneering force in GIS and development in the Caribbean. Our guests, Cecille Blake and Nadine Brown, share their personal and professional reflections on Mrs. daCosta. Join us as we explore her remarkable career, her groundbreaking contributions to geospatial sciences, and the lasting impact she has had on the community. Our Guests share: how they met Mrs. daCosta and their first...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Valrie Grant engages in a captivating conversation with Isabelle Chatel de Brancion, the Business and Innovation Lead at Geovation, Ordnance Survey's innovation hub. Isabelle's extensive background as an architect and her shift towards driving sustainable innovation in the PropTech and GeoTech sectors makes for an enriching discussion. Isabelle shares her unique and non-linear path from architecture to innovation in geospatial industry. Her experience spans across the UK, France...
May 01, 2024•31 min
About The Guest Madin Maseeh is the founder and President of the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO), the first entity in the Maldives dedicated to the development and research of the space sector. MSRO was founded in 2022 with a remarkable support from the international space community after Madin attended the International Space University's Space Studies Program. Before founding MSRO, Madin had been working in the data and intelligence sector with the government of Maldives to solve c...
Apr 17, 2024•19 min
In this thought-provoking episode of Mapping AThe Conversations, host Valrie Grant engages with Professor Bheshem Ramlal, a name synonymous with geospatial brilliance in the Caribbean. The discussion uncovers the professor's transformative journey within the realm of geospatial sciences and the uncharted possibilities maps offer in understanding our dance with planet Earth. Listeners will voyage through a narrative of discovery, innovation, and dedication with one of the Caribbean's geospatial p...
Mar 20, 2024•37 min
In this edition of "Mapping the Conversations," host Valrie Grant engages in a profound dialogue with Dr. Joep Crompvoets, a geospatial industry enthusiast and academic. Listeners are invited to join a journey exploring the essence, evolution, and impact of location intelligence and national geospatial information arrangements. The conversation delves into the waves of change within the geospatial domain, touching upon the significance of spatial data infrastructures and the emerging uncharted t...
Mar 06, 2024•31 min
In this episode of "Mapping the Conversations," host Valrie Grant sits down with geospatial industry luminary Dr. Zaffar Mohamed-Ghouse to explore the unchartered potentials of location intelligence and its vital role in harmonizing humanity's relationship with Earth. Their dialogue orbits around the transformative impacts and burgeoning innovations in the field of geospatial technology. This conversation delves into Dr. Zaffar's rich background, his professional journey, and his leadership in g...
Feb 21, 2024•41 min
In this stimulating episode of "Mapping the Conversations," host Valrie Grant is joined by Dr. Rosario Casanova, a recognized authority in the field of geospatial science and education. Dr. Casanova sheds light on the transformative impact of geospatial technology and the critical role of the UN-GGIM Americas Academic Network in advancing location intelligence. The conversation delves into the various hats Rosario wears, particularly focusing on her influential contributions as the president of ...
Feb 07, 2024•42 min
